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View Full Version : Geissele Automatics Gas Block Pin Tool and Punch Set



UWone77
14 August 2014, 07:16
Recently, I picked up a Geissele Automatics (http://geissele.com) Gas Block Pin Tool (http://geissele.com/roll-pin-tool.html) and Punch Set. (http://geissele.com/gas-block-pin-punch-set.html) Geissele as most of you know are manufacturers of arguably the best triggers in the market. They also make a top notch set of Super Modular Rails. Did you know they produce a line of armorers tools for the consumer?


Manufacturer: Geissele Automatics (http://geissele.com)

Items to be Reviewed: Gas Block Pin Tool (http://geissele.com/roll-pin-tool.html) & Punch Set (http://geissele.com/gas-block-pin-punch-set.html)

Purpose of Item: The Gas Block Pin Tool is designed to securely hold a 0.078” diameter roll pin to start the pin installation in a gas block.

The Geissele Gas Block Pin Punch set are made specifically for the removal and installation of the 0.078" roll pin that secures the gas tube to the gas block on an AR-15/AR-10.


I used these tools on my Aero Precision M4E1 Upper build as seen here:

http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?6173-Aero-Precision-M4E1-Enhanced-Upper-amp-Handguard-Installation

If you've ever built an upper receiver, you know one of the hardest things is to get the gas block roll pin installed or remove an old one with years of carbon build up. In the past this has either been a pain, you use a new gas block, or you end up marring up your new gas block. Since the gas block is not flat, you end up trying to lay it on its side, causing an odd angle to hit the roll pin with your mallet.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af282/richdkim77/IMG_2155_zps10c757d4.jpg (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/richdkim77/media/IMG_2155_zps10c757d4.jpg.html)

For clarity, we'll just use the instructions from the Geissele Website:


Removal and Installation of gas block roll pin has always been a challenge since there are no commercial pin punches in 0.078" diameter. 1/16" (0.062") punches have a tendency to bend and very few starter punches are available in 1/16" diameter.

As you can see, the punch goes through the entire gas block, ensuring you can punch out an old roll pin.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af282/richdkim77/IMG_2157_zpse8d24114.jpg (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/richdkim77/media/IMG_2157_zpse8d24114.jpg.html)


The first punch to grab when removing the roll pin is the Starter Punch. This is the punch with the long tapered end. The long taper is much more resistant to bending and buckling than the straight shank of the Pin Punch. Use the Starter punch to just get the roll pin moving. Then use the Pin punch to drive the roll pin completely out.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af282/richdkim77/IMG_2158_zpsd1f39693.jpg (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/richdkim77/media/IMG_2158_zpsd1f39693.jpg.html)


Resist the temptation to just be quick about things and just use the Pin punch; a hard rap with a hammer on a stuck roll pin will cause the Pin punch can bend.

The roll Pin Tool makes life much easier to install a new roll pin. Much like the punches, there are few roll pin starters that are 0.078" to hold the pin.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af282/richdkim77/IMG_2156_zps777290a4.jpg (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/richdkim77/media/IMG_2156_zps777290a4.jpg.html)



The hole in the tip of the tool is sized so that the roll pin will need to be pressed into the tool first (the roll pin will not just slide in). Stand the roll pin on a hard surface and tap the tool onto the pin to seat it in the tool. When the hole in the gas block grabs the roll pin the pin will collapse enough so the tool can be removed from the roll pin. All then is needed is a tap with a punch to seat the roll pin in the gas block.

Recently, I've found another use I've found for the punch. I was attempting to take off a forward assist on a stripped upper. In this case it was an Iron Viper USAF. When I first looked at this, I realized I had never taken a forward assist off. Checking the existing punches I owned, none of them went far enough inside the hole. Out came the Geissele Punches.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af282/richdkim77/IMG_2203_zps53f491e8.jpg (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/richdkim77/media/IMG_2203_zps53f491e8.jpg.html)
http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af282/richdkim77/IMG_2204_zps81af448c.jpg (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/richdkim77/media/IMG_2204_zps81af448c.jpg.html)
http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af282/richdkim77/IMG_2205_zps581b54a8.jpg (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/richdkim77/media/IMG_2205_zps581b54a8.jpg.html)

Conclusion: If you regularly build uppers or work on them, these tools are a worthwhile investment. They definitely make life easier. They are reasonably priced, $25 for the punch set and $12.50 for the Pin Tool. Like the rest of their product lines, the Geissele tools are high quality, well made, and very useful. I've already installed 3 gas block pins without issue, and removed a forward assist as seen above.

One last tid bit I want to mention is that Geissele considers the tools a consumable item. As someone who's gone through a few punches, I would agree with this.


The Geissele Gas Block punches and the Pin Tool are made from properly hardened and tempered 01 tool steel. However, they are considered a consumable item. Eventually, they will wear out and will need to be replaced.